The Houston Astros named Tony DeFrancesco as their interim manager after dismissing manager Bradley Mills Saturday, Aug. 18. DeFrancesco was managing Triple-A Oklahoma City. General manager Jeff Luhnow will spend the next few weeks searching for a full-time replacement. Houston already has four or five names in mind, and they're hoping to have a new candidate in place by Nov. 1. Minor league hitting coordinator Ty Van Burkleo was named as the interim hitting coach and Dan Radison will be the interim first base coach.

The Houston Astros have manager Bradley Mills under contract through the end of this season, and according to major league sources, he will not be retained heading into 2013. However, general manager Jeff Luhnow said Friday, July 6, that no change is imminent, and he will not make a decision under after the season concludes.

Houston Astros manger Bradley Mills has announced that the team has canceled its annual intrasquad game, as it was seen as largely useless to the team's preparation for the season. "Our pitchers weren't really getting out of it what we'd like them to get out of it," Mills said. "We might come back with it at some point, but not this year."